CMS Price Transparency Data

CT scan, head (with and without contrast)

Facility: Barnes Jewish Hospital

Billing Code: 70470 (CPT)

Factual Cost Summary (Answer Capsule)

CPT Billing Code: 70470
Insurance Median: $1,966
Cash Discount Price: $2,088
vs. Medicare Baseline: 10.97x Medicare

The contracted insurance negotiated median rate for a CT scan, head (with and without contrast) at Barnes Jewish Hospital is $1,966. If you are paying out-of-pocket or uninsured, the self-pay cash discount rate is $2,088. Compared to the federal Medicare reimbursement reference rate of $179.2, this hospital’s rate is 10.97x the Medicare baseline. Located in One Barnes-Jewish Hospital Plaza, Saint Louis, MO.

Cash / Self-Pay

$2,088

Average discount available for prompt cash payment at this facility.

Insurance Median

$1,966

Median negotiated contract rate across all mapped commercial carriers.

Medicare Reference Rate

$179.2

Standard federal government reimbursement rate for this code.

Visual Cost Comparison vs. Medicare

Medicare Reference Baseline: $179.2 (100%)

Cash / Self-Pay: $2,088 (1165%)

Insurance Median: $1,966 (1097%)

Cash: $2,088 (1165% of Medicare)

Ins. Median: $1,966 (1097% of Medicare)

Understanding this gauge: We use the federal Medicare rate of $179.2 as the cost baseline. Rates below the baseline represent excellent value. In-network commercial rates commonly hover around 150% - 250% of Medicare, while rates exceeding 300% are elevated. Hover over the green and blue markers to view detailed calculations.

Elevated Commercial Rate Alert (Value-Gap)

The negotiated rate at this facility is 1097% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 997%). Patients with high-deductible plans or out-of-network benefits may face excessive out-of-pocket costs.

Consult Patient Advocate

Out-of-Pocket Cost Estimator

Estimate whether it is more economical to use your insurance or pay the upfront self-pay cash rate.

Billing Status

Remaining Deductible ($)

Your Coinsurance Rate (%)

Input your details and click calculate to compare out-of-pocket costs.

Commercial Insurance Negotiated Rates

Negotiated contract ranges established by major commercial carriers at this facility.

Carrier / Plan Group	Contract Rate Range	vs. Medicare Reference
Aetna	$176 - $2,610	98%
Blue Cross Blue Shield	$176 - $3,028	98%
Essence Healthcare [221]	$176	98%
Humana	$176 - $1,817	98%
UnitedHealthcare	$176 - $2,586	98%
Cox Health [757]	$184	103%
Devoted Health Plan [847]	$184	103%
Medica [662]	$184	103%
Cigna	$872 - $2,784	487%
Consociate [478]	$970	541%
Sarah Bush Lincoln [636]	$970	541%
Allied Benefits [498]	$1,026 - $2,586	573%
Coresource [497]	$1,026	573%
Fmh Benefit Service Inc [222]	$1,026	573%
Mail Handlers [495]	$1,026	573%
Healthscope Benefits [258]	$1,210 - $2,262	675%
Apwu Health Plan [216]	$1,378	769%
Nalc Health Benefit Plan [242]	$1,378	769%
Priority Health [648]	$1,378	769%
Health Alliance [224]	$1,500	837%
Healthlink [225]	$1,688 - $2,627	942%
Cox Health Systems Insurance Company [220]	$1,914 - $2,262	1068%
Hope Trust [806]	$2,018	1126%
Med-Pay [480]	$2,262 - $2,610	1262%
Unicare [568]	$2,262 - $2,627	1262%
First Health Commercial [734]	$2,586	1443%
Beechstreet [551]	$2,610	1456%
Detego Health [868]	$2,610	1456%
Health Systems Inc [620]	$2,610	1456%
Healthcare Sol Mercy [609]	$2,610	1456%
Multiplan Commercial [737]	$2,610	1456%
Multiplan [240]	$2,610	1456%
Phcs [244]	$2,610 - $2,784	1456%
Preferred Health Professionals [561]	$2,627	1466%
Medica [661]	$2,784	1554%
Hfn [563]	$2,958	1651%

Self-Pay Upfront Cash Action Plan

Request a "Self-Pay classification" with the billing desk before receiving care.
Ask for a written "Prompt-Pay Discount" agreement quoting the price of $2,088.
Request and sign a "Waiver of Insurance Submission" to prevent automatic billing.
Verify CPT Code matches exactly: 70470.

Insurance In-Network Protection Plan

Contact your insurance company to confirm Barnes Jewish Hospital is fully in-network.
Ask your insurer if "Prior Authorization" is required for CPT code 70470.
Confirm the specific physician or imaging center is also in-network (not just the hospital building).
Audit your Explanation of Benefits (EOB) against the final itemized hospital invoice.